#KentAgainstBurglary campaign

With Christmas fast approaching, there are steps we can all take to secure our homes, gardens and vehicles and limit the opportunities for crime. Please join our #KentAgainstBurglary campaign today by sharing our messages with your nearest and dearest. By working together we can reduce opportunities for thieves.

Finishing your Christmas shopping?

Most people take steps to keep valuables safely out of view when at home, but what about when you’re out and about? If you’re shopping in busy areas it’s easier to get distracted, so make sure you keep your wallet and phone close by but tucked away, for example in an inside jacket pocket or zipped bag. Where possible, avoid leaving any personal belongings, gifts or loose change in your car when you lock it and never leave bags or belongings unattended.

Going away over the holidays?

Most people take steps to make their house look occupied if they are going out or going away. Do you? As well as checking your home and garden are locked up before you leave, do you also put timer switches on lights or radios to make it look as though someone is home? How about asking a trusted friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your property, park on your driveway or remove papers, milk and post from your front door while you’re gone? Your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can give you more tips on home security.

Worried about bogus callers?

While incidents don’t happen often, if your doorbell rings and you’re not expecting anyone, never feel obliged to answer. If you do, make sure the rear of your home is secured first, use a door chain if you have one and always check they are who they say they are by contacting their company yourself (not on a number they provide). If in doubt, keep them out and ask them to come back at a later date (when you can have someone with you). If you have older relatives or neighbours then please share our advice with them, too. You can print out our top tips from https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/

Thank you for your continued support. For the latest news, advice and information about policing in your area visit www.kent.police.uk, find us on Facebook or follow @kent_police on Twitter.

Slavery still exists. Know the signs – if you can see victims, be their voice.

In the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, Kent Police has launched an awareness and prevention campaign targeting the residents and business communities of Kent.

Although awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking is growing, the signs are often hidden – making victims harder to recognise and more vulnerable.

While the vast number businesses work legitimately and above the law, a small number of employers exploit their workers, often unregulated.

How you can help

We’re encouraging everyone to know the signs of slavery and report suspicious behaviour to the National Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700.

Please support our campaign by sharing our posters and messages with your friends, family and colleagues.

For the latest information about human trafficking and modern slavery:

find us on Facebook and follow @kent_police on Twitter for the latest campaign messages, videos and advice.

As always, we thank you for your support.

Protecting and serving the people of Kent

Seniors Helping Seniors

Seniors Helping Seniors is an in-home paid for care service for Seniors. Care and companionship is provided by Seniors. Service is paid for privately. The company is a member of the UK Care Association and we have the very highest standards, training and credentials. We would like to see if people of Upper Hardes/ Stelling Minnis are interested to become care providers because we have people who need care locally. No experience is necessary and full training is given. We would also be interested in hearing from Seniors, or their families, who feel they need help. We find that as the nights draw in a few hours company during the day, or getting odd household jobs done, or trips to the shops are very helpful. Benefits of using our service for these tasks are seeing the same person and seeing someone with a great work ethic who understands what it's like to get older! We manage to pair people with similar interests and we usually find the relationship benefits both people very well.

Sally Wilse01227 454 900www.seniorshelpingseniors.co.uk

Information from Canterbury City Council, 6.5.11:

Ash Dieback Disease (Chalara fraxinea)

Ash Dieback Disease was first identified in Poland in 1992. Since then it has spread across Europe with Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark particularly affected. In Denmark it is reported that some 90% of their Ash trees may have been killed or been infected by the fungus causing the disease.

In the UK evidence of the disease was found early in 2012 in tree nurseries and sites recently planted with young Ash trees. However it was not until October that the disease was found in established trees, in East Anglia. A recent survey has now revealed affected trees in Kent.

It is not yet fully understood how the disease is transmitted. Initially the disease was carried on young trees imported from Europe and these infected new planting sites. It is now thought likely that spores of the fungus have also been carried by winds blowing from Europe, infecting established trees and woodlands.

The presence of the disease does not make an infected tree any more hazardous or likely to fail. It can take a number of years to kill a mature tree and there is evidence of a natural resistance amongst the Ash population. It is therefore premature to consider felling trees.

It will be difficult over the winter months to assess whether trees have been infected as the most obvious visible symptoms affect the leaves. However, if you are concerned about your trees please email your name, address and a contact telephone number totrees@canterbury.gov.uk, as our arboriculturalist may be able to visit the site and offer advice on current best practice for managing affected trees.

Additional information, including guidance on how to identify the disease and how to formally report suspected outbreaks is available on the Forestry Commission website:

Looking for transport help? Whenever you have a problem in finding transport to the doctor, dentist, hospital, shopping, visiting friends etc. etc., please telephone us—we have a team of volunteer drivers that might be able to help you. Register with us and when the paperwork has been completed, we will do our very best to find you a driver. There is a small annual admin fee, and then we just ask that you cover our driver’s costs at 40p per mile.